Lady Chiefs subdue EAC in NCAA volleyball

Arellano University overpowered Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 25-14, 25-11, 25-19, to post its first victory in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 92 women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lady Chiefs finally barged into the winners’ column after losing to reigning back-to-back Most Valuable Player Grethcel Soltones and the San Sebastian Lady Stags via heartbreaking 25-23, 28-26, 19-25, 18-25, 12-15 result last week.

Jovelyn Grace Prado, who honed her skills playing in the Shakey’s V-League, paced the Lady Chiefs with 12 points, eight of which came on kills and four on service aces.

In the men’s division, Arellano pulled the rug from under last year’s second placer Emilio Aguinaldo, 25-21, 25-22, 25-13, to jump into a three-way tie at first place with Mapua Institute of Technology and San Beda College.

Power-hitting Bernasid Latip, the team captain, and John Joseph Cabillan fired 11 apiece to power the Chiefs to their second win in a row and a piece of the lead alongside the Cardinals and the Lions.

Despite the win, Arellano coach Sherwin Meneses said there are is still room for improvement.

“We still have a lot of things to work on including our defense but we’re getting there,” said Meneses.

The Chiefs are seeking to find their way back to the Final Four after barely missing the cut a season ago.

It can be recalled that Arellano tied for fourth with San Beda after the elimination round last year only to lose to the latter in four sets in a knockout playoff.

And things look bright for the Chiefs this year.

“That’s our goal, to make it to the Final Four,” said Meneses.

The Generals, the 2014-15 champion and runners up to the Perpetual Help Altas last season, fell to their second straight defeat.